Austin, Texas – Supercells capable of dropping tennis ball-size hail and producing damaging wind gusts up to 70 mph are developing across Central and South-Central Texas Wednesday evening, prompting a Severe Thunderstorm Watch that affects more than 3.4 million residents until 10 p.m.
According to the National Weather Service and the Storm Prediction Center, storms will intensify along the I-35 corridor, from San Antonio and Austin to Waco and Hillsboro. A few tornadoes are also possible in this volatile setup, particularly near Brownwood, Killeen, and Kerrville.
Communities from San Angelo to San Marcos may see isolated hail events up to 2.5 inches in diameter, with high winds likely to bring down tree limbs and power lines. Officials urge residents to shelter vehicles, avoid outdoor activity, and charge electronics ahead of potential outages. Schools and hospitals in the watch zone—totaling over 1,100 institutions—should activate severe weather protocols.
The atmosphere remains unstable following earlier storms, increasing the likelihood of intense evening development. Drivers should avoid high-profile travel and remain alert to warnings issued by local emergency management.
This watch remains in effect until 10 p.m. CDT. Additional warnings may be issued as storms evolve throughout the night.
